English Teaching Career in China

With a fascinating history, diverse cultural landscape, irresistible culinary traditions, and a whopping 1 billion+ non-native English speakers, it is not hard to see why China is an ideal country for finding English teaching jobs. In the past, prospective English teachers often overlooked the Middle Kingdom, preferring its neighbors South Korea and Japan instead. This is no longer the case; teachers are beginning to realize that China has a high demand for Western teachers, but without all the competition.There is, of course, still stigma when it comes to teaching English in China programs surrounding dishonest schools and lack of a steady paycheck. While not all schools are ideal teaching environments, there are plenty of schools that treat teachers quite well. It is important to do your research and keep the following concerns in mind in order to have a memorable experience teaching abroad in the land of The Great Wall and Yao Ming.

Certificates

Teaching English in China without TEFL certification is possible. That being said, if you do earn your certificate, you will open yourself up to a wider variety of options for working abroad. Better schools will generally have higher qualification standards for teachers. That being said, it is not unusual to find a job at an amazing education institution without having your TEFL cert in tow.

Proper teachin visa

gHaving the proper documentation as a teacher is paramount in China and can result in getting kicked out of the country if you are caught without it. The wrath of the Chinese government is not something you want to experience firsthand! The Z visa is the required teaching visa for teachers who come from overseas and should be obtained beforehand by the school that will sponsor you. Once your school files for your Z visa, you should be able to pick-up the papers at your local Chinese consulate or embassy. Before you are issued your visa you will be asked for proof of a university degree, your passport from an English-speaking country and a TEFL or TESOL certificate.If you work on any other visas, like the X, L or F, this is illegal and can result in getting kicked out of the country. While some teachers work under these visas, it’s strongly advised against. Coming home early due to avoidable visa issues is never a proud moment for any ESL teacher. Note that it is not uncommon for ESL teachers to try to “get away” with teaching on the wrong visa; however, that doesn’t mean you aren’t still liable for illegal activities and thus can be held accountable for them.

We Use the Following Brands

Edit this text to make it your own. To edit, simply click directly on the text and start typing. You can move the text by dragging and dropping the Text Element anywhere on the page.